Key takeaways:
Identify the type of oven you have — gas or electric — since they function differently and may require unique troubleshooting approaches.
Follow a step-by-step guide to troubleshoot issues, from checking the power supply to testing the thermostat and igniter.
Maintain your oven with regular cleaning, calibration and annual professional inspections to prevent heating issues.
Consider a home warranty* plan like Cinch Home Services to help cover repair costs and keep your kitchen running smoothly.
If you’re a homeowner who loves to cook and host family and friends, you probably spend a lot of time in your kitchen preparing big meals. After all, few things are more enjoyable and satisfying than bringing people you love together to enjoy great food. However, if your oven suddenly isn’t heating, this could throw a huge wrench in your plans and create panic. Today, we'll review why your oven may not be heating and investigate some troubleshooting and repair tips that may help.
Gas vs. electric ovens: what are the differences?
Before we explore why your oven isn’t heating, it’s important to distinguish what kind of oven you have. Modern homes have two different types of ranges: gas and electric. So, what’s the difference?
When turned on, electric ovens conduct electricity to a heating element, bringing the oven to cooking temperatures.
Meanwhile, gas ranges use flames to heat the oven to the proper temperature. This happens when an igniter or spark electrode ignites the gas.
Despite cooking food the same way, gas and electric ovens are different. They each use different parts. Additionally, the life expectancy of these ovens is similar. While electric ovens typically last 13 years, gas ovens have an average life expectancy of 15 years.
Related Article: How long do ovens last
Regardless of what kind of oven you own, when it’s not getting hot, it needs to be fixed ASAP.
Troubleshooting 101: Fix your oven with these steps
Step 1: Check the power supply
Start by making sure your oven has enough power to function properly. A blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker could be the reason your oven isn't heating up properly. The last thing you want to do is pull apart your oven with tools or hire a professional when all you needed to do was check your circuit breaker.
Step 2: Test the heating element
You can test the heating element with these steps:
- Turn off the power: Before doing any work on your oven, unplug it or turn off the circuit breaker to ensure no electrical power is running to the appliance. This is crucial for safety.
- Locate the heating elements: Ovens typically have two heating elements: the bake element, which is located at the bottom of the oven for baking, and the broil element, which is usually located at the top of the oven for broiling.
- Inspect the heating elements: Look for signs of burns, cracks, blisters or discoloration on the heating elements. A damaged or burnt-out element may have visible signs of wear, such as blistering or bubbles on the surface, physical cracks, broken parts or blackened spots. Please note that if you spot any visible damage, it's likely that the element is faulty and needs to be replaced.
- Do some testing: Next, test whether the heating element works properly. You’ll need a multimeter to check for continuity (prove that the heating element is working).
Additionally, follow these steps to test if the heating element works:
- First, set your multimeter to the continuity or ohms setting (Ω).
- Disconnect the heating element from the oven (if possible). Keep in mind, you might need to remove the screws or bolts holding it in place.
- Next, place one probe on each terminal of the heating element.
- Check the reading on the multimeter: If the element is intact, the multimeter will beep or show a low resistance value (near 0 ohms), indicating continuity (or that the heating element is working). If the element is broken or faulty, the multimeter will show infinite resistance (no beep or high reading), indicating no continuity.
You can find a guide here if you need to replace the heating elements on your oven.
Step 3: Test the thermostat
The oven thermostat regulates the temperature by regulating the heating elements. If it's malfunctioning or out of calibration, the oven may not heat correctly.
To check the thermostat setting:
- Verify the oven temperature: You can use an oven thermometer to check if the oven is heating to the correct temperature. Place the thermometer in the center of the oven and set it to a specific temperature (e.g., 370°F). After about 15-20 minutes, check the thermometer reading. If the thermometer reads significantly different from the set temperature, the thermostat may be out of calibration.
- Test the temperature sensor with a multimeter: The temperature sensor, a thin tube a few inches long, is located at the upper back of the oven. It monitors the oven's internal temperature and sends this data to the thermostat to regulate the heating elements. If the sensor is faulty, the oven may not heat up correctly. To do this, you’ll need a digital multimeter before following these steps.
Step 4: Test the control knob or digital settings
If your oven has a manual dial, check for damage to the knob. For digital ovens, test the temperature setting buttons to make sure they’re responding correctly. You should also make sure you're setting the correct mode as well.
Step 5: Recalibrate the thermostat
Some ovens allow you to recalibrate the thermostat via a reset function or a particular sequence of button presses (check the user manual for this option). However, if the thermostat is mechanical, it may need professional adjustment. If recalibration doesn’t solve the issue, the thermostat might need replacing.
Step 6: Check the igniter
The igniter is an important part of how every gas oven functions. The igniter works by drawing electrical current to open the oven’s safety valve. When this happens, gas is allowed to flow and ignite the burner. If you notice that the igniter on your oven isn’t lighting up or if you don’t hear the characteristic clicking sound that it’s known for, you may have a faulty igniter. Inspect the igniter and look for any cracks or breaks in it. If you notice that there is a slight delay when you try to light a flame, this could be evidence that you need to replace the igniter.
Step 7: Verify that the oven door is closing properly
If you notice that your oven door isn’t closing properly, this is an issue that you’ll definitely need to address. A faulty oven door means that heat will escape – making it difficult for your oven to reach its desired temperature. If your oven door seems to be the issue, it may be due to debris that needs to be cleaned out or a broken door seal.
Step 8: Check your gas line
When your gas line has blockages, it makes it harder for gas to flow to your oven’s burners. First, ensure that your gas line is properly connected. Next, look for any leaks or issues in the gas line. If you need professional help, don’t hesitate to hire professional help.
Step 9: Reset your oven
You can reset your oven by cutting the power and waiting a bit before turning it back on.
Go to the circuit/breaker box and find the breakers labeled "kitchen," "oven," "range," or "stove." If they recently experienced a power surge, they could be tripped in the off position. If you notice that the breakers are set to on, turn them off and wait 5 minutes before turning them on again.
This is an easy way to reset your oven regardless of what brand you own.
Preventative maintenance tips you should know
Even if you fix your oven, there are some things you can do to help prevent the same issue from happening again. Here are some helpful maintenance tips:
- Clean your oven regularly, including the heating elements, burners and vents. The cleaner you keep your oven, the more likely you are to avoid complications.
- Calibrate the oven temperature regularly so you can catch any irregularities right away.
- Check out the seals and door latches to ensure they are good and no heat is escaping.
- Hire a professional to do an annual maintenance check. This is an excellent way to keep your oven running correctly for years to come.
Related Article: What makes an oven smoke
When to call a professional
While following the steps mentioned to get your oven to work again may be a fun adventure for some, this isn't the case for everyone. If you have a gas leak or are uncomfortable working with certain parts, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
How a home warranty plan can help
Cinch Home Services offers multiple service plan* options, and you can choose the plan that best fits your budget and needs. In fact, both the Appliances plan and the Complete Home plan cover certain oven repairs.
Follow our blog for more helpful tips.
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*The product being offered is a service contract and is separate and distinct from any product or service warranty which may be provided by the home builder or manufacturer.
The information in this article is intended to provide guidance on the proper maintenance and care of systems and appliances in the home. Not all of the topics mentioned are covered by our home warranty or maintenance plans. Please review your home warranty contract carefully to understand your coverage.”
“Our blogs and articles may link to third-party sites that offer products, services, coaches, consultants, and/or experts. Any such link is provided for reference only and not intended as an endorsement or statement that the information provided by the other party is accurate. We are not compensated for any products or services purchased from these third-party links.”
In this guide, you will learn about the common reasons why gas ovens malfunction and how you can fix them.